Chapter 16: The Birth of Iron Man, A New Vision for Heroes
[Edited]
Chapter 16: The Birth of Iron Man, A New Vision for Heroes
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~2008 – New York City~
The financial world reeled as Tony Stark made his shocking announcement: Stark Industries would no longer manufacture weapons. The declaration sent waves of panic through the market, and the company's stock price plummeted to unprecedented lows. Investors scrambled, major shareholders fumed, and Obadiah Stane moved swiftly to consolidate power, attempting to buy up shares at a discount.
But Edward Lin had been waiting for this moment.
Seated in his private office at Golden Enterprise's headquarters, Edward calmly observed the chaos unfolding on the stock exchange. The financial analysts, the so-called experts, were all shouting about the impending downfall of Stark Industries. But Edward knew better. This was merely a momentary stumble before an inevitable rise.
With a simple gesture, he activated the secure line to his financial division. "Acquire another three percent of Stark Industries," he instructed. "Keep it quiet. Use different channels, shell corporations. I don't want anyone knowing until it's done."
His orders were met with immediate action. Within hours, Golden Enterprise's hidden hand, stretched across the stock market, quietly absorbing shares while others dumped them in fear.
By the time the dust settled, Edward had increased his total stake in Stark Industries to 8.7%.
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Elsewhere, Obadiah Stane was livid. He had expected to seize control of the company, leveraging the stock collapse to buy up enough shares to cement his influence over Stark Industries. But every time he tried to purchase a sizable amount, he found resistance. An unknown force was countering him at every turn, strategically outmaneuvering him.
His grip on the company was slipping, and he couldn't even see who was pulling the strings against him.
But Edward saw everything.
In his penthouse, Edward smirked as he watched the reports. William Lin, now fully in charge of Golden Aerospace, would need Stark Industries in the future. This wasn't just about making easy money—this was about preparing for the battles to come.
And ensuring that his family held the power necessary to shape the future.
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Edward didn't need to sit at the head of the table. He had no interest in running Stark Industries himself. But now, with nearly one-tenth of the company under his control, his voice could not be ignored.
When the time came, when William needed it, Stark Industries would be an invaluable asset. Whether Tony Stark realized it or not, Golden Enterprise had just ensured his survival—and his future.
For now, Edward remained in the shadows, watching as the first pieces of the grand puzzle began to shift into place.
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~2008 – Stark Industries, Los Angeles~
The night sky above Stark Industries blazed with fire and chaos. Tony Stark, clad in his Mark III armor, rocketed through the air, dodging incoming missiles from the Iron Monger suit piloted by Obadiah Stane. The battle raged across the industrial complex, sending shockwaves of energy through the ground as the two armored titans clashed.
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~New York~
Edward Lin sat in his penthouse, sipping a glass of fine whiskey as he watched the news broadcast of the escalating conflict. The world was witnessing the dawn of a new era. Superheroes were no longer confined to myths or isolated incidents—Tony Stark was making them real.
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~Los Angeles ~
"You think you're the only one who knows how to build a suit?" Stane's voice crackled through the comms as his massive metallic frame lumbered forward. His Iron Monger suit, a crude but powerful imitation of Stark's sleek design, gleamed under the moonlight.
Tony's voice was labored. "This wasn't just about building a suit, Obie. It was about responsibility! Something you clearly don't understand."
Stane launched forward, swinging a massive steel fist. Tony barely dodged in time, his boosters flaring as he soared backward. The industrial yard around them erupted in destruction—shipping containers crumpled under the sheer force of their fight, while explosive sparks rained down from electrical grids torn apart in the chaos.
Edward watched with keen eyes. Tony was skilled, but he was still learning. The difference between a genius in a lab and a warrior forged in fire was evident. Stane, for all his treachery, was using brute force and had the upper hand in raw strength. But Tony had ingenuity.
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Tony struggled, his armor battered, energy reserves dwindling. His only chance lay in an all-or-nothing gambit. He lured Stane to the rooftop of the arc reactor facility.
"You had your time, Obie!" Tony shouted through gritted teeth.
Stane growled. "And now it's mine!" He raised his massive arm, charging up for a final, devastating blast.
"Pepper, now!" Tony's voice rang out over his comms.
Inside the control room, Pepper Potts pressed the emergency overload button on the arc reactor. The massive energy core beneath them hummed violently before erupting in a pillar of blinding white light.
Stane barely had time to react. "What—?!"
A surge of energy enveloped him. The Iron Monger suit seized up as the reactor's energy surged through its core. Sparks danced across his armor as systems failed one by one. Then, with a final, ear-splitting scream, Stane and his monstrous suit plunged into the reactor's core.
A deafening explosion followed. When the light faded, there was nothing left of Obadiah Stane.
Edward leaned back in his chair, smirking slightly. Another player was removed from the board.
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~The Press Conference~
The next morning, the world buzzed with speculation. Stark Industries had suffered catastrophic damage, and rumors swirled about the emergence of a new weaponized suit. The press gathered at Stark Industries' headquarters, hungry for answers.
Tony Stark, bandaged but very much alive, stood before the podium, flanked by Pepper Potts and James Rhodes.
"Mr. Stark, what happened last night? Who was in that suit?" a reporter shouted.
Tony smirked, clearly reveling in the attention. "Well, I'd say it was one hell of a light show."
Laughter rippled through the crowd, but the reporters pressed on. "There are reports of an unidentified armored figure assisting in the destruction of a rogue military weapon. Can you comment on that?"
Tony hesitated. He glanced down at the carefully prepared statement SHIELD had provided him. The plan was to deflect, deny, and maintain secrecy.
But then, a smirk played across his lips. He was Tony Stark. He never played by the rules.
He set the cards down. "The truth is..." He paused, letting the suspense build.
Then, with a confident grin, he delivered the words that would change history forever.
"I am Iron Man."
The room exploded with chaos—reporters shouting, cameras flashing, the world hanging on to every syllable. Edward chuckled to himself. Stark had just set the world ablaze.
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In the days that followed, Stark Industries' stock prices fluctuated wildly. The panic that had gripped investors turned into a frenzied buying spree. Edward moved swiftly.
"Acquire another three percent," he instructed his brokers. "Don't let Obadiah's shadow investors reclaim their shares."
The markets shifted. With Stane gone and Stark's name reaching unprecedented heights, Golden Enterprise's stake in Stark Industries solidified. Edward remained in the background, a silent but ever-present force ensuring William had what he needed in the future.
As he closed the market report, Edward exhaled. The age of superheroes had begun. And he intended to make sure it unfolded exactly as he wanted.
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~2008 – New York City~
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[Proficiency Panel]
Name: Edward Lin
Age: 81/85+500
[Alchemy (Fullmetal Alchemist)]
Alchemy Proficiency: 98% (Level: Grandmaster)
Transmutation: 98% (Level: Grandmaster)
Reinforcement: 98% (Level: Grandmaster)
Creation: 97% (Level: Grandmaster)
Physical Condition: Enhanced Human+ (Alchemically Reinforced)
Enhancement: 500 years (Life-extension elixirs & alchemy)
Strength: Late Stage God-King
Status: Chairman of Golden Enterprise, Head of the Lin Family,
Mood: Calm, Focused
Skill: Inspect
Wealth: Estimated Net Worth - $5.86 Trillion
Property: Private estates, corporate buildings, an Aerospace company, hospitals, research facilities, security forces, mercenary companies, rare resource monopolies, 11.7% Stark Industries shares, etc.
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The battle had ended. The world had just witnessed the birth of a new kind of hero. Tony Stark, against all expectations, had stood before the press and uttered the words that would change history: "I am Iron Man."
The media frenzy was immediate. Stark Industries' stock soared overnight, climbing to new heights after weathering the scandal of Obadiah Stane's treachery. Public perception had shifted; Tony was no longer just a genius billionaire playboy but a symbol of power, innovation, and heroism.
Edward Lin watched everything unfold from the high-rise penthouse of Golden Enterprise, a glass of aged whiskey in hand. The Stark situation had played out as he had expected, but it was only the beginning. The future was in motion, and the world would soon be flooded with extraordinary beings—some heroes, some monsters.
A thought emerged in his mind.
'What if I commercialized the idea of superheroes?'
Not as a means of control, but as an industry. The emergence of heroes was inevitable, but without guidance, many would struggle in obscurity. Some would fight without support, be vilified by the media, or exploited by corrupt institutions. He could change that.
He could provide PR, funding, and protection. Not just for one or two, but for an entire network.
An association of heroes.
Edward smirked as he swirled his drink. The potential was limitless. Not only would this reinforce the image of Golden Enterprise as a benevolent global force, but it would also grant them influence over the next generation of super-powered individuals.
It wasn't about personal glory—he had long since moved past that. It was about stability and strategy. If he played his cards right, this Hero Association could ensure the world didn't descend into chaos as superhumans became more commonplace.
His mind raced with possibilities. Sponsorships, endorsements, and specialized teams for crisis management. Governments would be forced to cooperate rather than antagonize powered individuals. And more importantly, William would have powerful allies by his side as he shaped the future.
Edward took another sip, glancing at the city skyline. The wheels of fate were turning. It was time to set things in motion.
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To Be Continued…